Columbus, OH — Richard Allan Gant, 89, of Dover, Del., died Aug. 30, 2023, with family present.

He was born and raised in Brick, N.J., and he proudly served in the United States Navy for four years active and four years inactive duty. One thing that he didn’t like about the Navy was waiting for his food so his wife, Marie, made sure that he didn’t have to wait throughout their 64 years of marriage.

He had an excavation company before embracing his “need for speed” with everything from fast cars (including one that he flipped on its roof) to speed boats to race horses.

He was an owner, trainer, and driver for 25 years. He raced all over the mid-Atlantic states including Freehold Raceway, Atlantic City Raceway, Garden State Raceway, the Meadowlands, Liberty Bell, Brandywine, Pocono Downs, Dover Downs, Harrington, Ocean Downs, and others. He had many wonderful owners that were also his good friends.

Even in retirement, he continued to work at his friend’s farm until he was no longer able to do so.

He had a generous heart and was “never happy ’til he was broke” as his mother would say.

He was a member of the USTA and NJ Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. For 60 years, he was a member of American Legion Post #348 and a mason at Durand Lodge #179.

He enjoyed playing cards, making duck decoys, and doing jigsaw puzzles.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie “Reese” Gant; sister-in-law, Helen King and family; daughter, Sandra (Dan) Ambrose and granddaughter, Alexandra Marie; son, Ross (Marcy) and grandchildren, Cally Amanda and Ryan Austin (aka, “little RG”; and brothers, Larry (Susan) and Ron (Linda) and their children.

The family hopes to have a memorial race at Freehold Raceway on his birthday, March 15, 2024.